That awesome moment when it comes about sharing the most important thing in your life. It is photography: I enjoy so much giving photography workshop. I keep learning a lot when people are asking me a lot of questions about photography.
This Photography Workshop took place at St Peter Ording during START-SummerCampUs 2017.
What is photography? What kind of photographs are we taking and sharing to the world? This is what we discussed during the workshop „Photography, a World with Only one Language. From the workshop to the exhibition”.
And then we’ve seen different types of camera, camera settings for indoor- & outdoor photography, learnt about exposure, aperture, shutter speed and DoF and the attitude a photographer needs to get an interesting picture.

We had much fun and I will miss you guys!
Keep in touch and take great pictures

Thank you to everyone who came on Thursday, 12th July 2018 at University of Kaiserslautern for my photo exhibition “Rwanda Through My Lens”. Thank you to AERK for inviting my art to be part of Rwanda day.

Forty five (45) pictures were complemented by short stories based both on interviews with the people portrayed and information on the setting of the photographs taken between 2014 and 2017

WHAT I WISH YOU TO TAKE HOME: Do not take the pictures as representing the whole country of Rwanda. Of course I did not reach every corner of the country. It is just my view through my lens. If you want to learn more about stereotypical images and their consequences and you missed taking a handout with some useful links home, let me know and I will send it to you.

Dear friends in Kigali and around Kigali, I am so happy and feel privileged to be part of this event. This Saturday at Kigali Center for Photography in Kacyiru Street KG 5 Avenue at 7pm: Are we aware of stereotypes? And its consequences? How do we deal with these images? That is what I am dealing with in my everyday work. Thank you kwanda art foundation and especially Jack Yakubu for the invitation and this great opportunity to meet again the audience in Kigali and also many other photographers. I cannot wait to be there.

Thank you to everyone who came on Monday, 13th November 2017 for the opening of my closing the year exhibition “Rwanda Through My Lens”: thanks to the panel discussion team and the audience. Thank you to Studieren Ohne Grenzen and Theater Freiburg for having me there.

WHAT I WISH YOU TO TAKE HOME: I wish every visitor of the exhibition to take a look at my photographs and read the interview or information on the setting of the photographs. Do not take the pictures as representing the whole country of Rwanda. Of course I did not reach every corner of the country. It is just my view through my lens. If you want to learn more about stereotypical images and their consequences, you will get a handout with some useful links. If you missed taking it home, let me know and I will send it to you. The exhibition is still open until 31st December 2017 at Passage 46, Theater Freiburg. Opening Hours: 6PM-1AM Tuesday – Sunday

“INTERview. A Photo exhibition on Rwanda and Germany“ was the title of my
exhibition which took place between 15th September and 31st October 2017 at Goethe Institut in Kigali.

The pictures show different lifestyles, culture and infrastructure and give insights on living environments of Rwandan and German
people, grouping the pictures in a way that allows fighting stereotypical images. They captured impressions from the capital of Kigali and rural regions in Rwanda and urban life in Germany. The pictures are complemented by short stories based both on interviews with the people portrayed and information on the setting of the photographs taken between 2014 and 2017. What I wish people to take home: Do not take the pictures as representing the whole country of Germany or Rwanda. Of course I did not reach every corner of the country. It is just my view through my lens.

The exhibition was supported by Goethe Institut Kigali, the German NGOs Armut und
Gesundheit e.V. and Zugvögel e.V.. Armut und Gesundheit e.V. supports people without
shelter, refugees, children and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions
and do not receive full medical care in Germany. Zugvögel e.V. is a German NGO
organizing volunteer services for youth from the Global South to the Global North.

Snapshot in Koblenz, Germany in 2017, after a wedding photography one day before, as I was too tired due to the previous work and long night. I had to meet with friends there in the midday. I could not image to pick up my camera and take photos but this was my chance to capture this picture.

Sitting in the bus, on my way from Nyabugogo Main Station to Kimisagara, Kigali. There is a system of tap and go, using cards you load before you enter the bus. And you can even see how much you have on the card.

Sitting in the bus, on my way from Mainz Main Station to Laubenheim, Germany. There is a system of stamping the ticket once you enter the bus. You can also buy the ticket directly in the bus at the driver.

“I am Bosco Ngezahayo, born 1993. I live here in Nyarugenge district of Kigali. Before I was a farmer in Muhanga district in the South province but due to the problem of climate change, I was not happy with the harvest. So I decided to come to Kigali to do a business. I have this boutique since the beginning of this year (2016) and I am hoping to expand my business. Maybe in the end, I can buy my own house. The problem is that Kigali is being expensive; whenever we go to the market, price is always increasing day to day and this makes my clients not happy.”

Car view, I was sitting in front with my camera and stopped the driver to have this picture on the way from Aachen after closing my photography exhibition in June 2017 going to Hachenburg in Germany for the opening of another exhibition.

I’m Smaga, I got divorced in 1982. I’ve got one son but the last time I was in touch with him was in 2002. I used to work as a mechanic but I got sick in 2004 and lost my house. Since then I am homeless. But now I found a shelter here at this project.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

“I am Jean Damascene Ntibibuka, born 1983, nickname Dama. I live here in Rubavu district in the western province of Rwanda. I am single. Maybe I can get married after two years but I am not sure yet. I did not achieve my goal yet, once I achieve it I will start dating. I still want to work hard. I do not have a girlfriend now. You know girls for this generation; you cannot be with her for at least six months without having sex. And for me sleeping with her, immediately she would be my wife and I am not ready for this yet.

I started being interested in guitars a long time ago. No one taught it to me. I taught it myself. I was a singer in a church since I was a child, as I was enjoying so much the music from people who were playing it, I dreamt to play it as well, but I didn’t have access to it. So I started with small boxes. Now I am able to make a real guitar. Guitars are my life. I spend two weeks on making it. The first guitar I would say that was successful, it was the one I sold for 1,500 Rwandan Francs and brought it in District competition. That was in 2005. At the moment, I am selling it on 30,000, 40,000 or 50,000 Rwandan Francs depending on the materials. I am hoping to expand my business and export them to Kigali. Why not?” Jean Damascene Ntibibuka says while smiling.

Car view on urban garden. In all three districts of Kigali, there are gardens and whenever you walk around you see people gardening and cleaning them. Gardens in Kigali emphasize the greenness of the city both in the rainy and in the dry season because in dry season, gardeners water them. To keep Kigali clean and green people are not allowed to walk through or sit in the garden. This water fountain is on during the day and off during the night.

Car view, I was sitting in front with my camera and stopped the driver to have this picture on the way from Aachen after closing my photography exhibition in June 2017 going to Hachenburg in Germany for the opening of another exhibition.

This was Carnival in Mainz, Germany which officially always starts on 11th November and ends in February. It precedes the time of fasting, that is why it is called “FASTNACHT” in Mainz (translated: Night before fasting). It comes from the words “carne vale” which traditionally means “farewell to alcohol and meat” to some people – forty days before Easter. “Rosenmontag” – this year it was 27th February 2017 (Rose Monday) is a big spectacle in the whole city and it is mainly about drinking before quitting alcohol until Easter. I was fascinated by the costumes in Mainz. So I was behind the camera on 25th February 2017 from 3:00pm until 5:00pm during the Kinder- und Jugendmaskenzug – a parade for mainly kids and youth with nice weather. On 28th February 2017 during Kappenfahrt it was cold and raining and I took photos from 3:00pm until 4:00pm. People give away all sweets that are left in store while driving around in the cars.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

Car free zone in Kigali, Rwanda in 2017, people enjoying free 4G internet. I took this picture when I was walking around and saw how people were busy with their smart phones and some with their laptops on the street.

The picture was taken while I joined the doctor, Prof. Gerhard Trabert, from Armut und Gesundheit in Deutschland e.V. in Mainz at his everyday work supporting people without shelter and sick people who live in socially disadvantaged conditions and do not receive full medical care in Germany.

“I am Rabia Umutoni, born in 1999. I am still schooling here at St Bernadette de Kamonyi in boarding. I play theatre because it is fun for me and I like it. Theatre helps in resolving problems between the staff of the school and the students because it brings together the students and the administration. Today, we were preparing the performance for next week“

In Kigali, you will find a big number of motorists in every part of Kigali City who are available 24 hours a day. It is easier to take a moto-taxi especially in places where buses and cars cannot pass. Also, motorists help passengers to get to their destinations safely and on time. Traffic jams are now common in the city – mostly in the morning and afternoon hours when people commute to work or back home. During these times it is a lot easier to board a motorcycle because motorists can easily find their way passing other vehicles such as cars, busses and trucks. Just in case passengers are not familiar with the roads or if they are lost, motorists tend to know every road in the city quite well. The prices are not fixed and are always negotiable.

“I am Epiphanie Nyampinga, born 1991, single. I live in Nyarugenge, a district of Kigali, capital city of Rwanda. I started sewing in 2015. It is not something I studied but I did a training because I loved sewing so much. Then in 2015 I joined this cooperative “Duhuze imbaraga”. And now it is helping to get what I need in my everyday life without relying on anyone and to pay my studies at AKILAH Institute for women where I study Hospitality. I will finish my studies this year 2016.”

“I am Ramadhan Uwiringiyimana, born 1991. I live here in Rubavu district in the western province of Rwanda together with my wife and one child of two years. I finished my studies in construction in 2014. I have chosen construction due to the development of my country. I was absolutely sure to get a job after my studies. It is now eight months that I am working here in Rubavu´s streets after we finished building Umuganda stadium here in Rubavu.”

Wedding photography of Melissa in Wiesbaden, Germany in 2017, after the ceremony before cutting the cake. I was impressed to see the bride just in a relaxed mood and taking a snapshot. She is surrounded by her mum and the groom’s best man.

Sarah Vuningoma, born 1988, taking a selfie in her room during her traditional wedding – known also as introduction wedding in Rwanda – after coming back from the hairdresser’s shop and putting make up. She is surrounded by both married women and girls who will escort her to finally meet her husband who is waiting outside with around 400 guests who are sitting on chairs in tents who came for her traditional wedding. Just to kill time and keep her special day memories while waiting for a time to go out to see her husband and join her guests for the ceremony.

“I am Michael Habineza, born 1986, but many people call me Zouzou. I live here in Kigali. I sew different kinds of cloths, like trousers, coats, jackets, short trousers for relaxing for both men and women but I am always interested in sewing “igitenge” cloths (igitenge is cloth made of wax print fabric). I like my career because it is something I really love to do. Through my every day work, I meet different people. When I started in 2010, it was not easy because many people thought that it is a job for old people, which made me to work hard and show them that younger people can also do it. I even still work hard. You see today is weekend and all my co-workers are enjoying it. I know that one day I will have enough time to relax but not these days.” Michael Habineza says while he is smiling.

“I am Claudine Tuyisabe, born 1988. I live here in Rubavu district in the western province of Rwanda with my husband and three children, the older one is 9 in primary school, the second one is 6 and he is in nursery school, the third one is this one on my back, 21 months. He is called Hitimana. He is not baptised yet. It is seven years now that I am working here in Rubavu, harvesting tea. They are paying 38 Rwandan Francs per 1kg, so I can at least harvest 30 kg per day. My husband does not have a job now, so it is my duty to take care of the family for basic needs and buying some school materials and clothes for our two children.”

“I am Emmanuel Niyitegeka, born 1995. I live here in Rubavu district in the western province of Rwanda. I have a fixed job here as a film editor. It is not always easy to find time for sport but during the weekend I can rent a bicycle and do sports or when I want to see different places of the city, I come here and pay 5,000 Rwandan Francs and leave my copy of the ID here and bring the bicycle in the afternoon.”

On my way from the place where I stayed overnight in Huye city (in the southern Province of Rwanda) to the bus station going to visit Nyungwe National Park. Huye is the one of the city in Rwanda where I saw the way of cars, the way of bikes and walking.

The opening takes place on 13rd November at 8PM. In this context, Prof.Gregor Dobler (Institut für Ethnologie Freiburg) will give a short introduction and I will talk on the power of images of today, and there will be space for questions and discussions on those topics focusing on stereotypical images across both the Global South and North
Are you not available? Let your friends know and drop by later. The exhibition will be open until 31st December 2017.
Thank you and See you there.

I had the chance to give a photography workshop during closing seminar of volunteers in Wittenberg from 18th to 22nd of September 2017. The workshop was entitled “Storytelling with my camera: From the photography workshop to the exhibition”: Introduction to photography and usage of the camera, the power of images. At the end of the workshop participants were able to understand how to tell their stories with their photographs.

I enjoyed a lot being with you guys, not only people who participated in workshop, but all people whom we met during that week. Hopefully to meet one day.

Hallo, I frequently get questions on where I printed my pictures for the exhibition in Kigali. I just got this message:

“Hello. Hope you are doing good. I was inspired by your exhibition. I do journalism, photo and films. I am planning to do photo exhibition and would like to ask where you happened to print out your photos or recommendation of low prices. Let me know. Thanks, Regards”.

Here is my answer: Well, there are a lot of places to print in Kigali, but I printed my photographs at PHOTO LAB Kimihurura, captions at 2000 on left side as you are going to SULFO. (Sorry I forgot the name).

And for everyone, who wonders on where to print good pictures in Mainz, I can recommend Charly Engel Lab2.0.

But now, I also have one question: Does someone knows a place in Kigali where you can print analog photos (in dark room) from the film? I asked at KILINO, but they don’t do it. Thanks already.